B. In my family we always had Santa Claus. However, we would also have a gift under the tree for Jesus. It always confused me as a child.

C. How do we work that out? Went to a Christmas party for the Twins Club in Virginia and they had a Christian Santa.

WBTU:

A. What does Santa always say? Ho! Ho! Ho! Where did he get that?

B. It is an old English word. The word “ho” is used in two main ways in the English language. 1. To call or attract attention. 2. An expression of exclamation or of delight.

C. The little two letter word “ho” is used four times in the King James Version of the Bible. The New International Version translates it as “Come” (when you hear your wife, you need to come) but the KJV says, “Ho.” I like Ho! Better especially around Christmas.

D. In this special time of the year we call Christmas, as we honor the Lord Jesus in a very special way, let’s try to have a Happy Ho! Ho! Ho! To you.

Thesis: Let’s think about these three places in which “ho” is used in the Bible and we trust it will be a blessing as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

C. The concept of the Kinsman Redeemer. “A brother in law or a close relative who bought back the land of an impoverished or deceased relative to carry on his name in Israel. If there was a widow from a deceased relative, the kinsman-redeemer would have to marry that widow and provide children for his brother in law or close relative so that his name would be carried on in Israel.”

D. Ruth is the Old Testament book of redemption.

E. Salvation involves the matter of redemption or the delivering by the paying of a price.

F. The nearest kinsman did not want to redeem the land of Naomi because it would mar his own inheritance.

G. Boaz “sacrifices” by purchasing Ruth as his wife and redeeming the land of Naomi.

H. Boaz is a type of Christ who came to purchase His church by the blood that was shed at Calvary. That means a purchase, a pardon, and a partaking of the holy things of God.

I. Ruth was helpless until Boaz stepped on the scene and purchased her.

J. We have a kinsman-redeemer and that redeemer is Jesus Christ. He bought us back from being poor, wretched, and miserable. We were like Ruth and Naomi and even worse. Much like Boaz, who had nothing really to gain financially, Jesus Christ gained a bride through his love, loyalty and sacrifice, the Church.